Southend Timeline 2000 - 2004 History of Southend-on-Sea.

Timeline

2000 Southend’s millennium clock, was installed in the High Street outside the Victoria Shopping Centre. The design was based on a winning competition drawing by Nicola Whale, a former pupil from St Michael's School in Leigh, following a competition run by the Council in local schools. The clock cost £50,000 to build and install. A Town's recognition. In celebration of the new millennium on 13th July 2000, an unprecedented number of people were given Freedom of the Town, they are: Trevor Bailey CBE, MA - Pat Barnett - Kenneth Crowe - Peggy Fairless - Richard "Digby" Fairweather - Leonard Forge MBE - Steve George - Paul Gilson - Norma Heigho - Barry Godwin C.Eng., M.I.Mech.E., F.I.Q., M.I.L.T., A.I.E.D - Ian Johnson - Hilda May - John May - Clifton Jay Morehouse - Richard Offord - Eileen Smith - Peter Thorn ACIB - Antony F. Tomassi - Arthur Wood - Jim Worsdale. Essex Boys released. After months of filming on the seafront and other places, the latest flick to be filmed in Southend hit the big screens. The film is based loosely around events in December 1995 that culminated in the murders of three drug dealers in Rettendon, Essex. Starring Sean Bean, the film takes a very hard lined gangster approach. The geography of Southend was given some editorial licence, with the QE2 Bridge being clearly visible from the the seafront. A mobile caravan park located around the pier was slightly wrong too. Southend benefited through it's co-operation for the filming by being picked to host the premier at the Odeon in Victoria Plaza. Most of the film's stars showed up including Sean Bean in July 2000. C E Heath axe 300 Jobs. One of the major office complexes on Victoria Avenue belonging to insurers C E Heath announced there plan to reorganise their operation which would result in the closure of the Southend office resulting in 300 people losing their jobs. A shock to many who had worked for the company since it arrived over 25 years ago. The news had an effect on the other company owned operations in the town including Sutton Road, and Wellstead Gardens Social Club. Many staff might migrate to the new centralised operations for the company in Swindon and other group locations including central London. The office block since vacation has remained empty, along with others in this area effected by the financial industries changing fortunes. Palace Hotel sold. The century old hotel was sold in 2000, and prompted fresh hopes for a new resurgence on the seafront with the hope it would return as a refurbished quality hotel. The Burstin brothers sold the hotel to Octagon Assets. C & A, which was housed in the Victoria Shopping Centre closed. 2001 Airport for sale. Regional Airports (RAL) has announced that it has placed London Southend airport up for sale. A sale is reportedly being sought in order to fund the airport's development as London's sixth airport. Cockling banned. Scientists testing toxin levels in the Thames Estuary are no nearer giving a firm indication of when the cockling ban is likely to be lifted. It is now just under two weeks since cockling was banned on the Essex side of the estuary after toxins were found in samples of shellfish taken off the Leigh coastline. A 28-day prohibition order was imposed by the London Port Health Authority on six out of 20 areas in the estuary. Agatha celebrated at the Palace. The New Palace Theatre Company (Green & Lenagan) presented the first ever Agatha Christie Theatre Festival it ran from 8th May to 28th July 2001. The festival, featured all of Christie's 25 plays, including a semi-staged performance of the West End production of The Mousetrap using all of the actors of the West End cast of the `World's Longest Running Play.' This was the first time The Mousetrap has been licensed in the UK outside of the West End since it launched in 1952. 25 actors for the 135 performances of all 25 of Agatha Christie's plays in a 12-week season to mark the 25th anniversary of the mystery writer's death. It is believed that the Palace Theatre holds the world record for performing Agatha Christie. Southend Census 2001. The Census counted the number of households in Southend at 70,978 although Southend's own records reflect a higher amount of 72,012 a difference of 1,034. The Bill is in town. During September the cast and crew for the popular police drama used Southend locations for one of there story lines. Filming took place over two days on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th September at Southend Pier, along Marine Parade, in the Cliff-top Gardens and at the Westcliff Hotel. Keymed Boss honoured. The boss of one of Southend's biggest companies was awarded an MBE in the new year honours today for services to road safety. Michael Woodford, the managing director of medical giant Keymed, of Stock Road, was given the honour for his dedicated work to funding safety measures near dozens of schools in Southend. Cruising a problem. 2001 saw the problem of cruisers along the seafront being an issue. The area was being policed but invariably their was nothing illegal occurring with this type of event. It became intimidating for some people, and noisy for residents. A police strategy to embrace the events and make them official seemed to calm the problem down, although for those wanting to be on the edge and risking the chance of breaking the law this legal format did not suit. Campaign against the proposed F5 Priory Crescent road widening scheme starts. December. Invisible Man Public House was demolished. Originally called the Golden Goblet, then the Rusty Bucket. The site was redeveloped into a McDonalds. 2002 New bus interchange for London Road. A New major development to improve the passage of buses along the A13 came to fruition when a new bus interchange was finished at the junction of London Road and Hamlet Court Road. The A13 route adopted digitised sign-age at every stop and provided buses priority travel through traffic light junctions. Jubilee Beach opens. Funding from Central Government's DEFRA allowed a new and enhanced Jubilee Beach to be opened, in the summer, just off Marine Parade, allowing the visitor to kick back and enjoy the seaside experience to the full. July. LTS Rail Line became C2C. Southend blooms. The town can be very proud of the accomplishments of the Parks and Gardens people they were rewarded in 2002 at the Chelsea Flower Show with a plethora of medals including gold. The Nations in Bloom competition also saw fit to award bronze to Southend for the immaculate gardens and parks around the town. Pier bridge demolished. The Pier Bridge was demolished on 29th November 2002. The bridge had for many years caught the odd double decker bus whose driver was unaware of the height restriction. The bridge would be replaced with a new taller version. The cliff slips. Debate rages as to what caused the cliff to slip in November 2002. Could it have been smugglers tunnels underneath, maybe the removal of tree's had an effect, or the burgeoning land above pushing forward towards the sea, maybe the airshow and the rattling Harrier that hovers above the cliffs causing tremendous vibration? Whatever the reason the slip occurred with dramatic effect and the near disappearance of a much loved bandstand which sat right above the affected area. Frank Bruno switches on High Street Festive Lights. 2003 Hail the King of Bling. A normal road widening scheme, the obligatory archaeological survey, a chance laying of a small ditch and low and behold the King of Bling is unearthed. The burial chamber located off Priory Crescent between the road and rail line contained an amazing myriad of treasures that date back to 610AD. The deceased is still yet to be formally identified, but not for the want of trying. Is he a King? Maybe a Prince? of high order that can be certain due to the significant artefacts discovered. A new museum awaits the treasures, and soon we hope. The Palace Theatre re-opens. The Palace re-opened on 1st April 2003 under newly formed Southend Theatres, formed by merging the Cliffs Pavilion and The Palace Theatre. The Palace will no longer be a theatre. The new format for The Palace is one of receiving smaller scale national tours, big name major productions, and intimate one-night shows featuring prominent performers. New Pier Entrance opens. May 2003 continued a busy year for the town with the opening of the futuristic Pier Entrance. Key to this development was the raising of the bridge which had claimed many a tall vehicle in its time no matter how clear the sign-age. The new pier entrance provided the visiting public a clean stylish start to their Pier experience an provided a level of synergy between shore side and pier head and the Lifeboat station design. Sir Bernard Williams dies (born 21st September 1929, Westcliff, died 10th June 2003, Rome, Italy). English philosopher, noted especially for his writings on ethics and the history of Western philosophy, both ancient and modern. RBS complete. The Royal Bank of Scotland completed their buildings just off Nestuda Way in July 2003, continuing the towns more recent employment focus towards the financial industry. RBS had previously occupied the old Ekco building facing onto Priory Crescent, with the need for nearly 3,000 staff it was plain they needed a new office block. Foundation stone for the new college is laid (SEEC). No nudes in Southend. Southend hit the national news in a curious turn of events. The Cliffs Pavilion were due to host a national touring production of 'The Graduate' starring Glynis Barber. The tour had taken in many towns and had had many leading ladies in the role of Mrs Robinson, which requires for one of the scenes for the character to be completely nude. However, Ms Barber on arriving in Southend announced she would not be defrocking under no circumstances, much to the disgust of local theatre goers who were looking forwards to a full rendition of the play. The Cliffs Pavilion Management on behalf of the production came under fire in the press for not making it clear to the audience that Ms Barber would not be nude. September new school. A successful amalgamation on 1st September of Bournemouth Park Infant School and the Junior School, gave forth a new Bournemouth Park Primary School. Tuesday 23rd September. A very unusual view trundled through the streets of Southend, when Boeing 727 (G-BNNI) was loaded on to a low loader and trucked out of the airport for a new home in Denmark as an office block! Taylor Centre opened. The Queensway Health Centre took a major step towards supporting mental health needs and people needing support with substance misuse with the opening of the Taylor Centre, Named after one of Southend's much respected M.P's Sir Teddy Taylor. The second floor facility is purpose built and provides patients and staff with the respect and privacy they deserve. Hamlet Court Road makeover starts. Westcliff's prime shopping road started a major makeover in October 2003. The whole road from pavement to CCTV to crossing points and new street lights were planned. A process that would take nearly two years to complete fully. During this period of change a Community Information Shop at 116 Hamlet Court Road help direct the scheme and keep residents and traders at bay through the running of Community events including a Festive Light Switch, an Irish Festival plus many more that kept the focus on the road and placated the traders as new business was developed. Steve Tilson takes the helm, In the wake of the sacking of Steve Wignall, and the Shrimpers staring non- league football square in the face. Steve Tilson took on the role of Caretaker Manager. Not only did he steer them clear of danger but took them to the Football League Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium. It was not long before the 'Caretaker' aspect of his job title was removed. New Honorary Freeman. The Right Honourable The Lord Kelvedon was awarded the freedom of the town on 26th November 2003. Probably better know as Paul Channon, who served the town as MP for Southend West from 1959-1997. Opera singer awarded a Tony. A former Westcliff High School for Girls pupil who made Hugh Grant cry picked up a Tony Award for theatrical excellence at a star-studded ceremony in New York in November 2003. Opera singer Chloe Wright, scooped the award for her performance in Baz Lurhmann's Broadway production of La Bohemme. She wowed critics and the public playing Musetta, a 1950s Parisian prostitute, during the opera's New York and San Francisco run. 2004 Judo formally arrives. John Horrocks a judo coach at Island judo club in Canvey, and Pascal Knappen an ex Dutch international and past gold medal winner of the Dutch open, the highest competition in Holland, brought judo to Southend formally in January to enhance the competitive side of the sport in the town. March 2004 saw a mass movement west towards Cardiff for the Southend populace. For their first final, who else should they meet but the seaside town rival Blackpool. Although, Southend lose 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium. This was a momentous step in the history of the club. Here is the Southend team: Flahavan; Jupp, Cort, Warren, Wilson (Bramble 63); Pettefer, Hunt, Maher, Gower (Jenkins 85); Constantine, Broughton. Subs: Emberson (g), McSweeney, Stuart. July. The old Odeon cinema in the High Street was demolished. Essex FM leave Clifftown Road in Southend for new studios in Chelmsford. HCR improvements complete. It took a while, plenty of inconvenience for both traders and customers alike. But 2004 saw the grand completion of the 500 metres of Hamlet Court Road. A mammoth makeover from new road surface, to lamp posts, paving, planters, CCTV plus loads more. The end result was refreshing for the road and timing was just right. Shoeburyness Hotel Closes. This sizeable building just outside the barracks entrance at the end of the High Street pulled it's last pint in 2004. The hotel had notoriety towards being one of the most haunted licensed premises in the UK. Sir Edward (Teddy) Macmillan Taylor on 30th September 2004 was awarded the town's honorary freedom. For his dedicated service as MP for Southend East. George Krawiec stepped down this year as the Town Clerk having held the reigns since 1997. Krawiec will take over the same role at North-East Lincolnshire Council. Moving into the vacant position in Southend came Rob Tinlin who came from Northamptonshire. College opens doors. September 2004 and a new term swings into action in the incredible new South East Essex College. The modern architecture is taking their breath away of anyone entering the doors. As the building went up the design externally could be benefited by all for many months with curiosity abound at the greenhouse effect to one side of the building. 750th Anniversary. St Mary the Virgin Church, North Shoebury celebrated the 750th anniversary, in 2004, of the first recorded rector of North Shoebury, Peter de Hadam. The church held special celebrations of its historic role in the local community.